Walking a dog

Video: George Gershwin | Promenade - Walking The Dog (1937) I Sebastian Manz & Friends

Content

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Part 1 of 3: Walking a dog: The basics
Part 2 of 3: Getting the right exhaust gear
Part 3 of 3: Making walking as pleasant as possible
Tips
Necessities

Not everyone has enough time and can muster the love and patience it takes to keep a pet. Caring for a pet comes with a lot of responsibility, especially when it comes to raising and learning to walk a dog. Before you can walk your dog, there are a lot of things to think about, from buying the right collar and leash to determining what you expect from your dog and how you will reward him for obedience. It will take time, but you will soon know what to do so that you and your dog both have as much fun as possible while walking.

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Part 1 of 3: Walking a dog: The basics

Put a collar and leash on your dog. In time, your four-legged friend will realize it's time for a walk as soon as you grab the leash. You can teach him this early on by putting your dog on a collar from an early age. Put the collar around his neck and tell your dog, “Let's go for a walk,” while clearly showing him the leash at the same time.
Put the collar tight, but not too tight, around the dog's neck. Make sure the collar is not too tight around the dog's neck. As a rule of thumb, one or two fingers should fit between the collar and the dog's neck. The collar, on the other hand, should not be so loose that it can slip over the dog's ears if it were to detach from the collar.
Tell your dog which side to walk on. To teach your dog how to walk, it is important that you are consistent. By teaching him to walk on a certain side, he knows where his place is when walking. Knowing what to expect will help your puppy get used to walking next to you. Just do not forget that your dog naturally does not walk on a leash. Keep in mind that it may take a while for your dog to get used to the leash.
Hold the belt close to your body. The most important thing in learning to walk your dog is to make sure that you keep control so that not your dog but you decide which way you go. You are the boss and that should also be clear within your walking relationship.
- Wind the dog leash around your hand in such a way that there is as little play as possible between you and the dog.
- Pull the leash close to your body, but at the same time allow enough slack so that your dog can walk naturally.
- Because he feels the resistance of the leash, your dog will understand that he should not walk in front of you.
Talk to your dog. Your dog understands the tone of your voice. Try not to get frustrated. Encourage your dog by saying "good" or "keep going" when he is doing something right. Speak firmly to him to teach him not to do certain things, such as barking at passersby or growling at other dogs.
Reward your dog with tasty snacks. While teaching your dog to walk properly, use treats, especially if you want to teach him not to pull on the leash. Reward him often and consistently.
- Use a certain tasty snack that your dog loves especially for training. You can reward your dog with pieces of cheese or sausage, but also with special dog biscuits or treat chunks; it just depends on what your dog gets excited about.

Part 2 of 3: Getting the right exhaust gear

Before purchasing any exhaust equipment, ask your vet for advice. Your vet should know your dog almost as well as you do, so he or she can recommend the right walking equipment. When choosing a collar and leash to suit your dog's specific body type or weight, rely on the expertise of your vet. The vet can give you tips on how to avoid neck problems that could be caused by using the wrong collar.
Buy the right collar and leash for your dog. There are many different types of collars and leashes available, but not all of them are suitable for your pet. For an easy-going dog that does not cause problems when walking, a classic collar with a buckle that you attach to the leash with a hook is usually used. For walking less obedient dogs, there are a large number of collars and leashes available that allow you to place more restrictions on the dog.
- A slip leash helps to keep a dog who gets distracted from walking neatly straight ahead.
- Dogs that like to pull often use a special collar called Candy Collar.
- A harness can be useful for dogs with a long neck.
- There are also collars for special use, including electric and vibrating collars and collars with built-in GPS.
- With a collar that glows in the dark you are more visible to others in the evening and at night.
Consider raising your dog through clicker training. Clicker training is highly recommended as a safe and effective method of training your dog. The clicker is a means to emphasize good behavior in your dog and to communicate with your dog in a clear and consistent way. The clicking sound, followed by a tasty snack, lets the dog know that he has done well. Clicker training works well for teaching your dog to walk neatly, as well as for other things that require training your dog, such as barking, potty training, and learning tricks. Use the clicker, followed by a tasty snack as a reward, in the following steps:
- Putting on the belt.
- When your dog stops resisting the leash.
- While the dog is walking behind or next to you.
- Repeat this intermittently while walking out.
- When taking off the belt when you get back home.
- Repeat this daily.

Part 3 of 3: Making walking as pleasant as possible

Determine if it might be too hot for your dog to take a walk. The best time to walk your dog usually depends on the temperature. Early in the day or later in the evening are good times to walk your dog. Do not let your dog out in the middle of the day, especially in the summer, because the sidewalk is sometimes too hot for his paws. To check whether it might be too hot, it is best to put your bare hand on the sidewalk. If you have to withdraw your hand after five seconds, it is most likely too hot.
Bring plenty of water and food with you. Do not only take poop bags and your clicker with you on the road, but also a sealable plastic container and a bottle of water for your dog. If you are going to walk your dog a little longer and on warmer days, it is important that you make sure your dog is getting enough fluids. Healthy snacks rich in water that are easy to take with you are, for example:
- Strawberries
- Watermelon without seeds
- Apple wedges
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Ice cubes (when it is warm)
Rest when necessary and try to walk in the shade as much as possible. Don't overdo it if you're still trying to get your dog used to being let out by you, especially if it's his first time on a leash wearing a collar. In the beginning, he will pull a lot and resist, which will probably leave your four-legged friend quite exhausted. Find a shady spot along the way where you can rest for a while.

Tips

Bring a spray bottle of cold water to teach your dog not to bark at others.
Always clean up the excrement when you walk your dog.
Talk to your dog and practice the commands while walking.
Avoid using a muzzle. Wearing a muzzle can actually make your dog aggressive.
Introduce your dog to other four-legged friends from an early age.
Do not use electric collars or collars with nails. Training your dog by fearing pain is exactly how it shouldn't be done. Also, don't use a stretchy leash, otherwise your dog will think that pulling will give him more room to walk around and it will be more difficult to stop pulling.
Older dogs usually take a little longer to get used to other dogs.
Take some of your dog's favorite snacks or toy with you on a walk. If your dog suddenly stops and doesn't want to move, you can bring out the snack or toy to get his attention.